DAVID BECKHAM’s likely multi-million pound move to Paris has sparked a backlash with leading French political figures saying the footballer is too old to be worth his hefty price tag.

French media reports said David Beckham will move to the French capital in January. []

Eva Joly, an anti-corruption judge and candidate in next year’s Presidential elections in France, said the former Manchester United star’s rumoured contract with French club Paris St Germain – reported to be worth more than £4million – was a waste as David will turn 37 next May.

Judge Joly said: ‘It’s not a game, it’s business. At his age and with the state of his knees he’s going to be selling T-shirts. The salary is shocking because of the economic crisis and an example of how huge sums of money are concentrated in the hands of very few people.”

Judge Joly spoke out after French media reports said the Beckhams will move to the French capital in January.

French Socialist MP Jean-Marc Avrault said: “I’ve had enough of these enormous salaries. It’s not just with football players but also businessmen who should have their salaries capped.”

I’ve had enough of these enormous salaries. It’s not just with football players but also businessmen who should have their salaries capped.

French Socialist MP Jean-Marc Avrault

But some in Paris rallied to support the Beckhams. Former conservative Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said he was delighted that Victoria Beckham was likely to arrive in France soon. Mr Raffarin said: “I’m delighted that his wife is coming.”

Le Parisien newspaper reported Beckham’s imminent arrival as an exclusive on its front page along with the leading sports daily, L’Equipe.

L’Equipe said there would be a “rock star” unveiling in central Paris, with David due to receive a whopping after-tax salary of more than £650,000 a month. That figure is likely to be multiplied many times over because of sponsorship deals, and the package is said to include a new home in Paris for the footballer’s family.

There will also be places for David’s sons, Brooklyn, 12, Romeo, nine and Cruz, six, at the British School of Paris, where fees are between £13,500 and £18,000 a year.

Victoria is reported to be very happy about the move and will relocate to France with the couple’s six-month-old daughter, Harper. David’s five-year contract with LA Galaxy ends on December 31.

A spokesperson for the football star said: “Any talk of a deal is premature. David is considering his options.”